Author’s Bio

Michael Spiro has been a 3rd-Party Recruiter and Account Executive for over 15 years. He is currently the Director of Recruiting / NE Ohio Region for Experis Finance, a dedicated business unit of ManpowerGroup — a $22 Billion publicly-traded staffing firm operating out of over 3,600 offices in more than 80 countries. As its name implies, Experis (“Experience” + “Expertise”) focuses on high end project solutions and professional talent resourcing in three areas: IT, Finance and Engineering. Experis Finance (formerly Jefferson Wells) specializes in Finance/Accounting, Risk Advisory Services, Tax and Technology. Michael’s other recent positions include President of Midas Recruiting, a boutique head-hunting firm specializing in the recruitment and placement of top-performing executives and professionals throughout the United States, and Director of Talent at Patina Solutions, a Professional Services Firm specializing in deploying professionals with 25 or more years of work experience on contract/consulting engagements. Prior to that, Michael also worked for two of the largest publicly-traded executive search firms in North America – Management Recruiters International (MRI) and Kforce Professional Staffing – where his specialty area was permanent placement. Michael has sourced candidates for clients in multiple industries, including Software Development, Manufacturing, Banking, Insurance, Legal, Retail and Medical. He has recruited candidates for positions in Sales, Healthcare, Information Technology (IT) and Finance & Accounting.

Before his career in the staffing industry, Michael was a director-level manager and department head for a $10 million non-profit social-services organization. And in a former life, Michael was active in the entertainment industry, with extensive road-warrior experience as a touring performer (singer-songwriter / guitarist / comedian) and as a recording artist, music producer and booking agent.

Once upon a time, long ago in a former life, I made my living as a full-time musician. I played guitar, wrote and sang songs, did comedy, recorded a couple of albums, and performed at hundreds of coffeehouses, nightclubs, colleges and concert halls. I toured extensively, opened up for several national acts, and did a lot of radio and TV shows. I often tell people that I lived the life of a traveling bohemian artist-musician during that rare window of time between when The Pill came out, and AIDS came in! All in all, I followed my dreams, sewed a lot of wild oats and had a great time! If you’re curious, check out my Music Website … or if you really want a good laugh, watch this ancient video of me performing the song “Music, Sex & Cookies.”

Moving from the Entertainment Business to the Non-Profit World to the Staffing Industry might not seem, at least on the surface, to be a very logical career path. The truth is that they are all more related than you might think. So many of the skills I acquired and lessons I learned in those musician days were later to become invaluable tools that I continued to use throughout my successive jobs in the business world and the staffing industry. Communications skills, organizational skills, effective time management, prioritization, creative problem solving, networking, sales and marketing acumen – as well as the ability to stay positive, passionate and enthusiastic about my work, and to maintain a sense of humor … these are all things that I learned back then, and still use today. Basic life skills like those are always “transferable.” My hope in writing this blog is to be able to share some of my accumulated knowledge and experience – especially as it relates to staffing, employment and job-seeking – and to help others in the process.

– Michael Spiro

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I was first brought to this Blog through Linked-In regarding “Why Job Hunting is a Consultative Sales Position” and as the comment I left in the discussion group states, “Right-on! Couldn’t Agree More.”

However, upon visiting this Blog and the other commentaries, such as “The Power of a Positive Attitude,” “Looking for Networking in all the Wrong Places,” and last but not least, “Answering The Dreaded Salary Question,” it is definitely apparent that Mr. Spiro is “well positioned,” “tuned-in,” and understands “the pulse of the market.”

Wow! Thank you for your positive and pro-active insights into networking. You combine the best information into realistic and repeatable scripts.

Crafting scripts is so very difficult for many folks. I work with mainly scientists, engineers, technology and financial folks (as well as many other types) who are phenomenally creative when it comes to their areas, yet crafting communication scripts in English can be daunting for many of them.

I am currently developing workshops helping global professionals craft & deliver elevator speeches and networking communication strategies. May I use your blog posts as part of my “examples and references” segment?

Great articles! I’ve passed your site to my husband who is “in transition” but also “on the back nine” and perhaps he will contact you with his resume. It’s funny how companies look the other way and avoid hiring experienced people yet wonder why their customer service lags … they just don’t seem to see the connection. Keep sharing your insights!

Hello Michael —
I must say, I greatly respect the amount of information you share on your Blog and the wonderful reminders and bits of useful information I have gleaned from it. I’ve only read two articles thus far and have already started implementing some of the ideas. Thank you for that!
— Anita Broccolino

I find your blog really interesting. Information is clear and I love the style too: concise, down to earth. I am an MBA student with a previous experience (and a passion) in HR Management and in helping folks finding the best jobs. I will make a large use of your posts!
Thank you,
Pier

I want to let you know how much I appreciate your blog, “Recruiter Musings.” Currently, I work at a government job service center, and your blog is the only source (from a “job search expert”) I feel comfortable forwarding (while always giving you credit and mentioning your blog) to our job seekers. Having worked in staffing and selection for 10 years (including as an executive search consultant, “in-house” recruiter and HR manager), I think 99% of these self-proclaimed “job search experts” don’t know what they are talking about. Thus, I really appreciate the quality, practicality and frankness of your blog postings.

Hi Michael,
I have never posted any comment on any blog that I have read but I couldn’t agreed with you more: “So many of the skills I acquired and lessons I learned in those musician days were later to become invaluable tools that I continued to use throughout my successive jobs in the business world and the staffing industry. Communications skills, organizational skills, effective time management, prioritization, creative problem solving, networking, sales and marketing acumen – as well as the ability to stay positive, passionate and enthusiastic about my work, and to maintain a sense of humor … these are all things that I learned back then, and still use today. Basic life skills like those are always ‘transferable.’ My hope in writing this blog is to be able to share some of my accumulated knowledge and experience – especially as it relates to staffing, employment and job-seeking – and to help others in the process.”

The only thing that I can see differently is that you’re out there writing and sharing to the world while I’m talking and emailing to only friends and families. My salute to you for doing what you’re doing. Keep posting and communicating. You got a fan out of me for sure. Thanks for sharing. Cynthia 😀

I have been a small business owner for over 25 years and have been an English professor as well. Michael has some of the most well written, informative material available. His blog should be a must read for every job seeker or employer. I give you an “A” , Michael!

Michael, I’d just like to say how much I enjoyed reading your wordpress site and congratulate you on the content. Very useful, very clear and above all very useful. Well done and again, thanks for sharing.

Michael, I stumbled upon your blog today and stayed far longer than planned! I am impressed by your knowledge of the career transition process, the realities of the marketplace and the required job seeker savvy.

There is a lot of advice for job seekers floating around cyberspace, but I seldom find any resource that I can recommend without reservation…yours I can.

I plan to cite your blog in my workshop materials and refer to your posts in my presentations.

Michael, I recently stumbled across your articles and was floored! They gave the most useful information to date. Over the last 5 years I have searched frantically for someone like you to get REAL advice! THANK YOU!!
Lucy